The Tanya Acker Show
TV host, author and attorney Tanya Acker talks to newsmakers, trendsetters, and leaders of every stripe about the forces that drive their decisions and how their choices impact everyone else. How do they move forward in an environment where lies spread faster than truth? How do they see the glass as half full when someone is sucking the liquid out of it with a jumbo straw? When do they know it’s time to take on a battle and when is it time to redirect energy? And how does anyone have any fun in the middle of all this? Join Tanya and her guests as they dig into all.
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 31 minutes
- Episodes
- 189
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
Manny Rutinel Decides to Flip the Script in Congress
The Colorado state representative talks to Tanya about his run for Congress and why it’s time to create a new chapter in American politics.
Dwayne Betts Decides to Write His Own Story: Part 2
In part two of this conversation, poet and lawyer Reginald Dwayne Betts shares how he built Freedom Reads from an idea into a national initiative, the unexpected ways prison shaped his understanding …
Dwayne Betts Decides to Write His Own Story: Part 1
In part one of this conversation, poet and lawyer Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on his journey from incarceration to Ivy League education, how reading reshaped his life, and the beginnings of Freedo…
Ezzedine Fishere Decides to Urge Palestinians and Israelis to Make the Second Best Decision for Ending the Crisis in Gaza
The Dartmouth distinguished scholar and former Egyptian and UN diplomat proposes a solution to the Gaza crisis that may be no one’s first choice, which is precisely why it might work.
Deciding to Stop Online Sextortion (with SC State Senator Brandon Guffey)
After online sextortionists drove his son Gavin to suicide, South Carolina state senator Brandon Guffey changed the law and created a forum for saving young people through his charity, LessThan3.com …
Public Counsel Decides to Take On the Fight Against Masked ICE Raids
In this powerful episode, Tanya sits down with Public Counsel's Senior Special Counsel Mark Rosenbaum to discuss the recent legal victory against ICE's immigration raids in Los Angeles. Described by …
Amanda Litman (“When We're in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership”) Decides That Power Needs a Refresh
The President and Co-Founder of Run for Something talks about breaking the “gerontocracy,” empowering new leadership, and how not to be a “Bad Boomer Boss.”
Special Re-Release: Emmy Nominee Katherine LaNasa (“The Pitt”) Decides to Embrace the Moment
The veteran actor talks about what it means to have audiences embrace “The Pitt” and her character, Nurse Dana; the influences that led her from the ballet stage to acting; and how much she loves the…
Stacey Abrams Decides to Take On the Future of AI in “Coded Justice”
Stacey Abrams discusses her prescient new novel “Coded Justice”, the dangers of unregulated AI, and how reclaiming personal power is essential in the fight against authoritarianism.
ACLU President Deborah Archer Decides To Blow The Whistle on Segregation’s (Not-So-Secret) Strategies for American Cities
The NYU law professor, president of the ACLU, and author of Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality, discusses her book, the importance of rule of law, and why …
Deciding to Reshape Your Relationship to the Internet (with Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker)
Over the last decade, our Internet experience has become increasingly dictated by algorithms- data-driven equations that try to anticipate (and elicit) our desires. The problem is, they often get it …
Journalist Alex Thompson (Axios) Decides to Pull Back the Curtain at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Axios National Political Correspondent and co-author of “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” discusses the controversy around the book, the …
Special Re-Release: CNN's Laura Coates on the Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial
With this week's decision on the Sean Combs case, we return to our talk with Emmy-nominated CNN anchor Laura Coates. Together, Laura and Tanya break down the inner workings of the courtroom and defen…
Hurl Taylor Decides to Master Life (and Business) at 86
The Army veteran and “lifelong learner” became, at 86, the oldest graduate of Emory’s 2025 class when he received his Masters in Business for Veterans. He talks to Tanya about solving problems, learn…
Special Re-Release: Author Martha Wells (‘The Murderbot Diaries’) Has Helped Create the Show of the Summer
We're throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes of the season, with author Martha Wells. We talk all things “The Murderbot Diaries” (now streaming on Apple TV+), the innovation of the new sci-…
Author Kyra Davis Lurie Decides To Tell A Hidden Story
The author of The Great Mann discusses the real-life inspiration for the novel, how she fights back against historical erasure, and “holding love for the work of deeply-flawed people.”
Deciding to Fight for Your Differently-Abled Child
Celebrity hairstylist Angela Stevens talks about navigating an unexpected and difficult diagnosis, the importance of early advocacy, and finding your tribe.
Deciding What to Make of the Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial (with Laura Coates)
The Emmy-nominated CNN anchor breaks down what’s happening inside the courtroom, the strategic choices the prosecution and defense have made so far, and what we can expect next.
Katherine LaNasa (“The Pitt”) Decides to Embrace the Moment
The veteran actor talks about what it means to have audiences embrace “The Pitt” and her character, Nurse Dana; the influences that led her from the ballet stage to acting; and how much she loves the…
Deciding To Be Intentional About the Aging Journey - Caregivers Need Care Too
Tanya talks to Carlene Davis, co-founder of Sistahs Aging with Grace and Elegance (SAGE) about doing better by our elders and how caretakers - both current and future - can take better care of themse…